(Shunde, Guangdong Province – December 29, 2023) Recently, the Government of Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, issued administrative penalties to Elder Zhu Longjiang, Deacon Zhu Longfei, Preacher Deng Yanxiang, and Deacon Wang Weicai of Shengjia Church, who were classified by the local Religious Affairs Bureau as being involved in an ‘illegal gathering’ case. Subsequently, they appealed for administrative reconsideration to the Government of Shunde District. Recently, Shunde District Government made a ruling to uphold the penalties imposed by the Religious Affairs Bureau.
On May 24, 2023, Shengjia Church in Shunde was raided by multiple departments, including Shunde Department of Public Security, Religious Affairs Bureau, Department of Education, and Department of Industry and Commerce. Preacher Deng Yanxiang, Deacon Zhu Longjiang, Deacon Wang Weicai, and Zhu Qiaoling were arrested by Shunde Public Security on suspicion of illegal business operations. The church’s two learning centers were also raided by hundreds of personnel on the same day, leading to the confiscation of numerous books, tables, chairs, and other items. On June 11, Shunde Department of Public Security, Religious Affairs Bureau, and community committee raided a venue rented by a Shengjia Church believer. They confiscated some items and requested statements from the present believers.
On August 31, the Religious Affairs Bureau of Shunde District issued an “Administrative Penalty Decision” to Preacher Deng Yanxiang, Deacon Zhu Longjiang, and Deacon Wang Weicai, who were detained in custody. The decision cited their alleged involvement in organizing illegal religious activities under the name of “Shengjia Church” and proposed a fine of ￥4800 yuan (~$679 U.S. Dollars). On September 1, the Religious Affairs Bureau of Shunde District issued a similar decision to Elder Zhu Longfei, proposing a fine of ￥4800 yuan for his alleged involvement in organizing illegal religious activities under the name of “Shengjia Church” in collaboration with others.
In October 2023, the family members of Elder Zhu Longfei, Preacher Deng Yanxiang, Deacon Zhu Longjiang, and Deacon Wang Weicai filed an administrative reconsideration application to the Government of Shunde District regarding the fines issued by Shunde Religious Affairs Bureau. The Government of Shunde District made a judgment to uphold the decision of Shunde Religious Affairs Bureau.
On September 13, 2023, Shunde District Education Bureau issued an “Inquiry Notice” to the family of believer Mai Jianxin, alleging that Mai Jianxin was suspected of “illegally organizing private educational institutions without a license.” The notice informed Mai Jianxin to appear at the Education Bureau for questioning. At that time, Mai Jianxin had already left Shunde. On September 20, Shunde District Education Bureau issued an “Administrative Penalty Hearing Notice” to the family of Mai Jianxin, citing Mai Jianxin’s alleged “illegally organizing private educational institutions without a license.” The notice proposed administrative penalties against Mai Jianxin and informed him of the right to request a hearing with the Education Bureau within five working days of receiving the notice.
It is reported that Mai Jianxin promptly engaged a lawyer and submitted a hearing application within the specified period. On October 10, Shunde District Education Bureau issued an “Administrative Penalty Decision” to the family of Mai Jianxin, citing Mai Jianxin’s “illegally organizing private educational institutions without a license, conducting preschool education, and subject-based training in subjects such as Chinese, mathematics, and English under the name of ‘Shengjia School’.” The decision imposed a penalty of refunding the collected fees from parents totaling ￥149,351 yuan (~21,109 U.S. Dollars) and a fine of twice the illegal gains, amounting to ￥298,702 yuan (~42,218 U.S. Dollars).
It is noted that Mai Jianxin has decided to entrust a lawyer to initiate administrative litigation against Shunde District Education Bureau for violating legal procedures by not holding a hearing and for the “Administrative Penalty Decision” document issued by the Bureau.
